BENTONVILLE, AR - Walmart is saying goodbye to its Sam’s Club banner’s Chief Operations Officer. Gisel Ruiz, who has been a part of the retailer’s team since 1992, has left the company to pursue other passions. While leadership is often like shifting sand, Bloomberg noted that there is more to Ruiz’s departure than meets the eye, as her retirement follows closely behind former Executive Vice President Jacqui Canney’s own resignation, marking Ruiz as the second high-ranking female executive to leave in the past couple of weeks.
Ruiz first started her Walmart career as a store management trainee. Since her beginnings, she has risen through the ranks, serving in top exec positions like Executive Vice President, COO of the U.S. division and Head of International Human Resources. In addition to her accomplishments with the retailer, Ruiz was named on Fortune Magazine’s most powerful women in business list for two years running.
“Gisel has left an indelible impression on our company,” said Sam’s Club Chief Executive Officer John Furner. He also noted in an internal memo that Ruiz helped strengthen Sam’s Club’s online business and employee satisfaction.
Ruiz will be succeeded by Walmart’s current Senior Vice President Dacona Smith, effective April 15, 2019.
Are Bloomberg’s suspicions about Walmart’s corporate culture correct? And is the retail giant grasping at straws to retain its female execs? AndNowUKnow will stay on the case and continue bringing you the latest grocery retail news.
